AUGUST 11, 2010

As another school year begins, First Student reminds motorists to heed School Bus Stop Arm Laws

Students urged to avoid ‘distracted walking’ caused by hoodies and headphones

CINCINNATI, Ohio – With another school year just around the corner, First Student, Inc. reminds motorists that passing a school bus while it is loading and unloading children is illegal in all 50 states. And for good reason, the potential for serious injury caused by motorists passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended is extremely high.

School buses are the safest way to get to and from school; nearly 12 times safer than passenger vehicles according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. First Student, the largest provider of student transportation in North America, says that buses today are safer than ever and have numerous safety features and equipment to protect students. Additionally, there are steps motorists and students can take to make boarding or disembarking the bus even safer.

The greatest danger riders face is getting on or off the bus. According to the School Bus Information Clearing House, a service of the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), dozens of children are seriously injured each year in school bus-related pedestrian accidents. Making motorists aware of the laws and the risks when passing a stopped school bus will go a long way in helping to prevent these accidents. Avoiding distracted driving, especially during the morning and afternoon hours when buses are on the road, will too.

“The safety and security of the students we carry is our core value. Our nation’s school children are put at risk each time a motorist on the road decides to save a few seconds and illegally pass a stopped school bus,” says Linda Burtwistle, president of First Student. “It is unconscionable that tens of thousands of motorists illegally pass school buses every day.” In New York alone, it's estimated that school buses stopped to load and unload children are passed illegally 50,000 times everyday statewide.

“Passing a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended while boarding or unloading is one of the leading violations involving motorists and school buses,” says Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, the nation's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers with more than 327,000 members.

Cities and states across the nation, from New York to California, are taking steps to push for tougher laws and more stringent enforcement of stop arm violations. “Law enforcement agencies around the country are working with community leaders, schools, and transportation providers to reduce the number of stop arm violations,” Canterbury adds.

Students can also take steps to improve safety when getting on and off the bus. Paying attention, listening and looking both ways before stepping on or off the bus or crossing the street is simple but important advice. “Another problem we see emerging is ‘distracted walking,’ often caused by hoodies and headphones. These two popular items can impair students’ key senses when sweatshirt hoods block their full vision and loud music in earphones drown out other sounds. Students also are becoming increasingly distracted by texting and using other portable electronic devices,” adds Burtwistle.

AUGUST 11, 2010

Make plans now to attend the 13th Annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet

Tickets on sale now for Aug. 28 event

PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation invite you to join your fellow wildlife conservationists in honoring Arizona’s 2010 Outdoor Hall of Fame Inductees at the 13th annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet.

The banquet will be Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Chaparral Suites, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour; dinner will be served at 7 p.m. with awards to follow.

The 2010 inductees are Michael Golightly, William Cordasco, Liberty Wildlife, and Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club. We invite you to join us in honoring these deserving individuals and organizations for their many contributions to Arizona’s natural outdoor heritage.

The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame was established in 1998 by the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation to honor those who have made significant contributions to Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage. Selections for induction are made each year by the board of directors of the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation from a list of nominations submitted.

Tickets are $70 each or $700 for a table of 10. Table and advertisement sponsorship opportunities are available as well for $1,200. To download an order form, go to www.azgfd.gov or contact Duane Wellnitz at duane.wellnitz@intel.com, or call 623-204-2130 for more information.

For more information about the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation or the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame, visit www.wildlifefortomorrow.org.